Engineering:Spirit Mosquito
| Mosquito | |
|---|---|
| |
| 2020 concept | |
| Role | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Spirit AeroSystems Belfast |
| Status | Under development |
The Spirit Mosquito is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) technology demonstrator currently in development by Team Mosquito in the United Kingdom . In January 2021, the aircraft was chosen as a technology demonstrator for the Royal Air Force 's Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) concept which was first conceptualised in 2015 by the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office.
The aircraft is designed to operate alongside manned fighter aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and BAE Systems Tempest, with a range of weapons and sensors to offer them increased protection, survivability and information. Spirit AeroSystems, which is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is the aircraft's prime contractor and full-scale flight trials are planned for 2023.
Design and development
In 2015, the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office began working on concepts for a "loyal wingman" UCAV, named the Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA), under the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative (FCAS TI). LANCA is managed by, and is the technical authority of, the Ministry of Defence's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).[1] In 2019, the MOD awarded contracts to three teams to provide designs for a flight demonstrator; Boeing Defence UK, Team Avenger (led by Blue Bear Systems Research) and Team Blackdawn (later Team Mosquito)[2] (Bombardier Belfast (now Spirit AeroSystems), Callen-Lenz and Northrop Grumman UK).[3]
In January 2021, a £30 million contract was awarded to Team Mosquito to design and manufacture a technology demonstrator. The team is led by Spirit AeroSystems Belfast and also includes Northrup Grumman UK.[4] Whilst it was previously part of the team, Callen-Lenz was not included in the MOD press release and may no longer be involved with the project.[2] To reduce costs and timelines, new software development techniques will be utilized alongside civilian aerospace engineering and management expertise. These techniques will be used to achieve full-scale flight trials by the end of 2023. If the technology demonstration is successful, a decision will then be taken on whether to launch a follow-on programme for a production version.[1][2] Whilst an in-service date for a production aircraft has not been announced, the MOD press release stated that the aircraft may operate alongside the RAF's Eurofighter Typhoons, which have a planned out of service date between the 2030s and 2040s, and later, its BAE Systems Tempest, which will enter service in the 2030s.[5]
The MOD contract announcement disclosed few design specifics but revealed the aircraft is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to offer increased protection, survivability and information to manned aircraft when operating alongside them. It is set to be the UK's first unmanned platform able to "target and shoot down" enemy aircraft while surviving against surface-to-air missiles.[1] Concept images included with the contract announcement showed an aircraft with low-observable features; a streamlined fuselage, swept wings, dropped wingtips, a V-tail, a dorsal air intake and a fuselage chine line — however this may not be the aircraft's final design.[3][1][2]
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "£30-million injection for UK’s first uncrewed fighter aircraft". Ministry of Defence. 25 January 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/30m-injection-for-uks-first-uncrewed-fighter-aircraft.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Newdick, Thomas (25 January 2021). "The United Kingdom Has Chosen Who Will Build Its First Prototype Loyal Wingman Combat Drone". The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38898/the-united-kingdom-has-chosen-who-will-build-its-first-prototype-loyal-wingman-combat-drone.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 D'urso, Stefano (27 January 2021). "The Royal Air Force Signed A Contract For Its First Loyal Wingman Unmanned Aerial Vehicle". The Aviationist. https://theaviationist.com/2021/01/27/the-royal-air-force-signed-a-contract-for-its-first-loyal-wingman-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/.
- ↑ Hoyle, Craig (January 26, 2021). "Spirit team to fly LANCA loyal wingman demonstrator for UK". https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/spirit-team-to-fly-lanca-loyal-wingman-demonstrator-for-uk/142126.article.
- ↑ Bronk, Justin. "Combat Air Choices for the UK Government". RUSI. https://rusi.org/sites/default/files/combat_air_choices_final_web_version.pdf.
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